Threats

Major Threats

The giant otter has very few predators. Young fall prey to caimans, jaguars, pumas, and fragmentation, and water pollution from mining and agricultural runoff. Over fishing affects their prey base. They are being affected by illegal hunting for their pelt, habitat loss and evidences that they are getting affected due to contaminants like Mercury coming from gold mines in their range. Canine and feline distemper and canine parvovirus, all introduced diseases take a heavy toll as well.